Peripheral Venous Pressure-Assisted Exercise Stress Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension During Exercise in Patients With Suspected Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Local Cardiac And Pulmonary Rehab Program Helps Patients Get Back To Their Daily Routine
Prev NextNorthwest Medical Center's cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program is one of the few certified facilities in Tucson.
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A heart attack can happen anywhere and at any time. People recovering from a heart-related incident or even a serious lung illness need proper care to get back to normal. Northwest Medical Center's cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program is one of the few certified facilities in Tucson.
The CDC says somone in the US has an heart attack every 40 seconds and they occur when the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood. Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack can save a life.
Phyllis Nielsen underwent two open heart surgeries in the last year and a half.
"Your heart, I mean, it runs everything," said Nielsen.
Her first surgery was for mitral valve prolapse, a heart valve disease. Her second surgery was this March, followed up by another round of cardiac rehab at Northwest Medical Center.
"I had to have my tricuspid done because the cord that is attached to the tricuspid," said Nielsen. "To the muscle tore and I had severe regurgitation."
There are three phases in the program. Supervised exercise training begins in the second phase with a personalized routine that lasts about 12 weeks.
"It's like you realize you're not invincible," Nielsen said. "It can happen to anyone and I've been working out since my 20s."
Clinical exercise physiologist, Brandicus Coleman, helped Nielsen improve her exercise intensity. Nielsen tells me she most enjoys the elliptical machine.
"It's a great way to strengthen the heart in a shorter amount of time and also," Coleman said. "Gives them confidence that they can leave this program knowing that they can do anything they want to do and their quality of life has improved."
Todd Locher, MD pulmonary rehabilitation medical director at Northwest Medical Center, says there are at least 16 million people in the U.S. With chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
"Patients come for a thorough evaluation and that's how it gets started. The evaluation consists of both subjective and objective measures," Dr. Locher said. "The subjective measures are questionnaires which are validated and widely used questionnaires. We assess symptoms of chronic lung disease. We assess symptoms of depression and quality of life. The objective evaluation is very simple and it consists of what we call a six minute walk test."
Nielsen recommends everyone to pay attention to their body, even if they think something isn't that serious.
"Life can be taken from you in a second and that you have to enjoy every day that you're given," Neilsen said.
CDC data shows heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Every year, about 805,000 people have a heart attack.
Some heart attack warning signs to remember are chest discomfort like tightness and discomfort in other areas of the upper body like your arms.
To enter the cardiac and pulmonary program at Northwest Medical Center, you must be referred by a doctor.
——Jacqueline Aguilar is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9. Born and raised in Yuma, AZ., she is no stranger to the unforgiving Arizona heat. Now this U of A wildcat is excited to be back in Tucson and is looking forward to involving herself in the community. Share your story ideas with Jacqueline by emailing jacqueline.Aguilar@kgun9.Com or connecting on Facebook, Instagram or X.
Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indian Doctors Highlight Growing Concerns Over Lung Disorders
Concerns have been raised by Indian doctors that the prevalence of lung-related disorders may exceed the estimates of a recent Lancet study. The study, published in May, suggests that ischaemic heart disease will remain the leading global cause of death, with stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following closely behind.
According to Dr. Atul Mathur of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, ischaemic heart disease will continue to be the top killer due to poor lifestyles and increasing stress levels. Dr. Mathur highlighted a lack of understanding of the disease's mechanisms as a significant barrier to finding solutions.
Dr. Arvind Kumar from Medanta Hospital pointed out that India's burden of chest diseases is compounded by high levels of pollution, tobacco consumption, and persistent infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Dr. Lancelot Pinto of P. D. Hinduja Hospital warned that smoking and air pollution are key contributors to COPD, stressing the urgency of preventive health measures.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Recognizing Pulmonary Edema: Key Warning Signs To Watch For
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Pulmonary edema is a critical condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, causing leakage from blood vessels into air sacs normally filled with air for oxygen exchange. This accumulation impedes breathing and reduces oxygen transfer into the bloodstream.
Michael Arterburn, who goes by @killer_bee_tactical on Instagram, highlighted the dangers of pulmonary edema in a post on May 10. He referenced the tragic case of Ray Johnson, a 64-year-old from Michigan who allegedly developed the condition and died in February 2022 after snorkeling in Maui.
Although officially ruled a drowning, Johnson's lawyers argue he succumbed to rapid onset pulmonary edema—a severe variant where the lungs fill rapidly with fluid, compromising oxygen delivery and leading to hypoxia, Fox News reported.
What causes pulmonary edema?Per Healthline, pulmonary edema can manifest suddenly or develop gradually, with its presentation varying depending on the underlying cause. Congestive heart failure stands as a frequent instigator of this condition and can occur when the heart fails to effectively circulate blood, leading to elevated pressure in the lungs' small blood vessels and subsequent fluid leakage. Normally, the lungs absorb oxygen from inhaled air into the bloodstream, but when fluid accumulates, this vital exchange falters, depriving the body of essential oxygen.
Additional contributing medical conditions encompass heart attacks, valve disorders, cardiomyopathy, irregular heart rhythms, sudden hypertension, pneumonia, renal failure and severe infections like sepsis. Factors such as higher rates of certain chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and heart disease may increase the risk of developing conditions like pulmonary edema in Black people.
As highlighted in Arterburn's video, in the case of Johnson, investigators believe that high-altitude exposure played a role in his fatal rapid-onset pulmonary edema.High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can strike adults and children alike during high-altitude travel or within individuals who engage in vigorous exercise at great heights, Arterburn mentioned. Its symptoms resemble those of acute pulmonary edema, including headaches followed by increasing breathlessness, initially with exertion and then even at rest. Reduced stamina is noticeable, accompanied by a dry cough that may transition to a productive cough producing frothy sputum, sometimes tinged pink or streaked with blood as the condition progresses.
Johnson's legal representatives believe his death might have been avoidable if he had waited three days after flying before snorkeling, allowing his lungs to acclimate. Studies show that tourists typically endure at least five hours of flight time to reach Hawaii, where airplane cabins are pressurized to altitudes equivalent to up to 8,500 feet. This pressurization can impact lung membrane permeability, potentially increasing the risk of conditions like rapid onset pulmonary edema, Fox News noted.
Additionally, the swimmer's horizontal stance in the water coupled with the constriction of their snorkel tube imposes resistance that can hamper the flow of oxygen. Swimming itself demands considerable physical effort which can also increase risk.
If you're flying to a tropical destination this summer, it's advisable to wait a few days before participating in water activities. Be vigilant for symptoms of pulmonary edema, such as:
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